By Staff
WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., of St. Joseph, said Wednesday he will soon depart for Asia in an effort to improve relations between the United States and the Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korea.
Two years of talks have failed to resolve a standoff over North Korea's program to build nuclear weapons.
The delegation will visit with officials from each of the five countries involved in recent diplomatic negotiations.
Upton will also visit Indonesia to deliver much-needed disaster relief to the victims of the Christmas tsunamis that ravaged Southeast Asia.
Reps. Curt Weldon (R-PA), Solomon Ortiz (D-TX), Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD), Silvestre Reyes (D-TX), and Elliot Engel (D-NY) will also be on the trip. The Congressional delegation will depart from Andrews Air Force Base on Sunday, Jan. 9, and is scheduled to return Tuesday, Jan. 18.
In addition to North Korea, the other scheduled stops include Russia, South Korea, China, Japan and Indonesia. Upton is scheduled to arrive in the Aceh Province in northwestern Sumatra on Sunday, Jan. 16.
Upton and the delegation will be transporting several thousand pounds of relief supplies for the tsunami victims. Some of the aid has been provided by several SW Michigan companies.
Individuals interested in making a donation should visit www.usafreedomcorps.gov for a listing of all charitable organizations involved in the relief efforts.
Upton's website also has the information listed at www.house.gov/upton <">http://www.house.gov/upton> .
The United States has committed at least $350 million for disaster relief, and former Presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton are spearheading the private funding drive.